4

- Don't worry, it'll pass. It's not serious, just a scratch. I'm just embarrassed at the thought of Brandon touching me. Not because he's a vampire, but because he's a guy.

- I have many years of experience. Maybe the wound is not serious, but it is worth examining. he stepped towards me. She involuntarily retreated. The vampire froze. I do not know what thoughts were spinning in his head, but his face turned into an impenetrable mask.

I became uncomfortable. I could offend him with my behavior.

Sorry, I didn't think. You are a wolf and I am a vampire. You will not like the touch of my icy hands. Brandon stepped back.

- You misunderstood Brandon. I don't care if you're a vampire or anyone else. It's just that I'm a girl and I'm embarrassed by the very thought that a guy will touch me. - Cheeks treacherously began to burn. But it's better to feel embarrassed than guilty.

The vampire burst out laughing. Laughter is so infectious. A smile appeared on my face by itself.

- Someone told you that you are amazing. I forgot the last time I laughed like that.

- And why?

It was not worth asking this question, it instantly became darker than a cloud.

- You don't have to answer. I quickly added.

- I really will refrain. he said in a choked voice, so much pain could be heard.

"Then may I ask you another question?" I want to know how different you are from book vampires. I tried to change the subject.

- Allow me?

Brandon pointed to a chair in the corner. I nodded and he sat down.

- Ask!

What to ask first? I came up with.

- How old are you?

- About three hundred. he simply replied. The vampire sat motionless.

After all, she assumed, but still lost the gift of speech.

A smile stretched across his face without hesitation. I achieved what I wanted, maybe he is a vampire, and I don’t know this guy at all, but for some reason I don’t want to see the pain on his face.

She went to the chest of drawers and pulled out a light jacket. I can’t change clothes, but at least I’ll cover the wound. In addition, with every passing minute, she is less worried. So it's almost delayed.

- And how many of them are you a vampire?

- Two hundred and seventy-six years. – with irony, responded Brandon.

- Therefore, you are over twenty! I concluded. A little older than me, of course, not counting the vampire years.

- To be exact, twenty-three years. What question will the young lady follow next? - Addressing me is too unusual.

Didn't make me wait long.

"Are you the kind of vampire you describe in the books?"

- Partly! What exactly are you interested in?

- Aspen stake?

This question was to be expected. He moved forward a little and rested his elbows on his knees. Mischievous lights played in blue eyes. It doesn't kill, it's not true. They don't take bullets, but they can hurt. The only thing that is true in the legends is the rays of the sun. Naturally, we do not instantly turn into ashes. It takes time for burns to appear, and then death comes. We are children of the night.

- Do you sleep? - it broke out of me. Curiosity flared up.

- Of course.

- In a coffin, in a crypt? I joked again.

- No, - laughing, said the red-haired, - at home, in bed.

- So it's not interesting, nothing mysterious.

- Want to know what kills us the fastest?

Silent. Do I need it?

- Your teeth, wolf teeth.

- You know, you're a useless vampire. All laid out to their alleged enemy.

- I don't mind dying at your hands. Brandon got up from his chair and walked over to the chest of drawers. He looked with interest at the photographs of my family.

Somehow she reacted strangely to such a direct statement, she seemed embarrassed, but at the same time pleasant. This time, she didn't take her eyes off him. The guy isn't looking at me. Without losing the chance, she began to peer and study the unknown predator.

Brandon looks very different from Elian. His copper-red hair accentuates the unnatural whiteness of his skin. The length of the hair reaches the shoulder blades, they are straight. The chin-length bangs are split in two, revealing sky-blue eyes that are so pure and bright. At first glance, it may seem that he is a statue carved from white marble and no matter how terrible it sounds, there is not a trace left of a living person.

His manners and respectful address to me spoke of his belonging to the nobility. But a huge dragon tattoo on the entire back did not fit into the image of a nobleman. The thin white fabric of the shirt did not hide the amazing design from the eyes.

- Did you like the tattoo? Brandon asked without turning around.

- Yes! How did you make it? She tried her best not to show embarrassment.

Made in China a long time ago. The monks knew that I was not human. They believe that all beings have the right to life. In addition, one of them was so kind that he taught self-control. If I die of thirst, I can overcome hunger and not attack a person, even a bleeding one. And without a monk, I didn’t kill an innocent, but then I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out.

- Probably, the monk did not see you, forgive my frankness, as a murderer. - he would not leave a predator to live and take lives, do not consider Brandon worthy. - By the way, they did their best, the tattoo came out beautiful. What does she mean?

- In China, the dragon is a symbol of a good start. By that time he had saved a lot of people. That's why the monk's choice fell on him. He turned to me and walked closer. – Any other questions?

She shook her head negatively.

Have you satisfied your curiosity? – with feigned surprise, asked the vampire.

- Yes! – the answer was short. Of course, this is not true, there are many things that interest me. For example, how did he meet Elyan? Their friendship is amazing.

I wonder where this self-confident lugar went? It doesn't bother me that he's gone for so long. Is everything all right? Although angry with the guy, but I can’t help myself, thoughts return to him. The conversation with the vampire was a little distracting, but now she's worried again. And does not leave the desire to see him again. Why just the thought of Elian makes my heart beat faster.

- Why are you silent? - Brandon's question distracted me from annoying thoughts.

She shrugged. But the vampire did not think to stop the conversation, he seems to be as curious as I am.

- Is that your brother? He pointed to a photograph on the side of the chest of drawers.

- Yes. broke into a wide smile. The memory of the day you took the photo warms my heart.

- You have a lot of photos with your brother, with friends and with the pack. Where are the parents?

I ignored his question because I had my own.

- And if you are photographed, what will you look like in the photo, and will you be in it at all?

- They did not answer my question, but you are waiting for my answer. Brandon said shaking his head.

She looked at him innocently batting her eyelashes, this caused a smile from the vampire, and he nevertheless answered.

I look terrible in photographs. Bruises and pallor look disgusting, emphasize my non-belonging to the world of the living.

- Maybe you are pale, you have circles under your eyes and slightly blue lips, but all this is erased when you look at the features of the face. They are perfect, unnaturally beautiful. She didn't embellish, she said what she saw.

- From your words, I would certainly blush, but, unfortunately, this is impossible.

- Let's assume you have an aristocratic pallor.

- I'm an aristocrat.

The conclusions I made earlier were confirmed.

Suddenly there was a rustle outside the window. Brandon didn't move, so there was no danger. As she shifted her gaze from the vampire to the window, Eliana had already appeared on the windowsill. He sat on his haunches and grinning at his friend. My heart, just like then in the alley, was pounding wildly. Unusual lugaru changed clothes. The black T-shirt, torn during the fight, was replaced by another, gray and sleeveless. She enhanced the effect of eye color and showed muscular arms.

- Only now the love of modern fashion and especially the two earrings in your ear, deeply hid your true origin. Elian was joking with a friend. Brandon narrowed his eyes, but still a slight smile appeared on his marble face. I looked at this self-confident fighter, unable to tear myself away. His laughter, his brightened face from a smile, made the guy even more beautiful than it seemed to me at the first meeting. I saw only him, as if there was no one else and nothing nearby. I have never experienced such feelings for anyone. What is happening to me?

- And you are an uncouth and ill-mannered animal. It looks like there are no doors for you! - the vampire in his turn teased.

- I have nothing to do with it. Something did not like the watchman, and she did not miss.

Their conversation was so light-hearted, like two ordinary guys playing a joke on each other. There are two different people living in Eliana. One is cheerful and friendly, while the other is rude and haughty.

- Melissa, how's your wound? Finally, he turned his attention to me.

She was silent for a while, collecting her thoughts.

- Wound? She unbuttoned her jacket and looked at her. There is blood on the T-shirt, but the wound has healed. The scars are bright, but the pain is completely gone. She raised her head and added. - Everything seems to be fine.

- Are you always distracted? What were they so busy with that they didn’t even know if the wound had healed? His expression turned grim again, only this time it was something else.

I will no longer allow him to talk to me in such a tone and as he pleases.

- My wound, my concern. I know what to do without you.

- You, in my opinion, are not only absent-minded, but also stupid. The wound inflicted on the lugar wolf, though not very deep, can have serious consequences.

His words made me think. It was my first time fighting wolf demons. Of course, during training she received a lot of damage, but she fought with wolves. Those wounds healed much faster.

- By the way the burning sensation disappeared, I guessed that the danger had passed. She lowered her head, realizing that she was really stupid.

- I wanted to examine the wound, but my help was not needed, it was clear to the naked eye that everything worked out. Brandon stood up for me.

The vampire's behavior made Elyan more angry. He looked at his friend with eyes blazing with rage. What is happening to him?

- Dude, chill. I understand that you're worried, but Melissa is fine, you, as always, lived up to Katherine's expectations. The vampire patted the Slayer on the shoulder.

That's what worries him. And I forgot that he cares about me, only for the sake of my mother. Why does this unpleasant feeling occur in the chest? Should be glad she's working hard for Katherine.

- Elian can be calm, has been here for several months, has always been careful for the sake of the family and the pack. They are the most important to me. There is a month left, and I will return home, and I will definitely return alive. I sat down on the bed, feeling overwhelmed. Soon everything will be back to normal. The fighter will again become a fairy tale, and Brandon will evaporate, as if he did not exist.

- Very well. We'll keep an eye on you until you leave. – his voice softened slightly.

- It is a pity that you are leaving us so soon, wolf. Brandon spoke up. She lifted her head and looked at the boy. Genuine regret on his face. At least someone cares about me.

She forced a smile out of herself. I hope the face is not pathetic likeness.

The corners of Brandon's lips turned up in response. My heart instantly warmed up, I did not immediately realize that the sadness had evaporated, and I also sincerely smile at him. It works like a drug on me. Amazing nocturnal predator.

- Nice to meet you, Brandon. She held out her hand for a handshake.

He carefully took it, instead of a handshake followed by a light kiss with icy lips.

Lugaru, dissatisfied with what was happening, looked at me angrily. Suddenly tore our hands and stood in front of me towering like a rock. I had to raise my head to look into his eyes.

- You're holding us back. Found the lair of the rest of the pack and we need to take them down before they get to you. – if Elian had not looked at me with such an angry look, I would have thought that the guy was jealous.